So, it’s seems real: Robert Marcel Lepage is back. Let’s rejoice! Last
fall he released his first CD in eight years: Le lait maternel (a collection of
film music scores recorded in the last decade). Then, in December, came Canard
branchu, a bona fide group record, his
most substantial album since 2003’s La machine à explorer le tempo. Canard branchu consists of 14 lively, animated, bouncy compositions of 2 to 4
minutes, all nicely twisted – just a bit, just enough. A blend of jazz and this
musique actuelle Ambiances
Magnétiques introduced to the world in the 1980s. No, I’m not being nostalgic;
it’s just that this record is a strong comeback, in tune with the Lepage heard
on Chants et danses du monde inanimé,
Adieu Leonardo!, and Les Clarinettes
ont-elles un escalier de secours? Here,
he entrusted his music to a group of four clarinet players (among them:
Guillaume Bourque and Lori Freedman), whom he joins occasionally, a horn
player, and a rhythm section (organ, doublebass, drums). The organist also does
some subtle treatment work. The music flows naturally, in turns funny and
moving, and listening to this CD is pure unabashed delight.[Below: This link will open the actuelle.cd
media player cued with three tracks from Canard branchu.]

A session recorded in April 2013 Montréal’s Studio 270. Non idiomatic
free improvisation strongly reminiscent of the British school, especially of
the Spontaneous Music Ensemble: collectivized individual playing, improvisers
listening to each other, room for silence, thoughtful creativity. Derome on
alto sax, flute, and objects; Wiens on prepared electric guitar and kalimbas;
Goldstein and his ever-so-aerial violin. Demanding music that will surely be
off-putting to the non-initiated. A fine trio.